Abstract: A method, data processing system, and computer usable code are provided for protocol definition for software bridge failover. In a first aspect of the present invention, a first software bridge determines the proper working operation of a physical adapter. Limbo packets are sent to a second software bridge alerting the second software bridge that the first software bridge is no longer bridging traffic responsive to the physical adapter failure in the first software bridge. The second software bridge receives the limbo packets, and, in response to receiving the limbo packets, asserts primary control and initiates bridging of traffic. In an alternative aspect of the present invention a first software bridge sends keep-alive packets. A second software bridge monitors the keep-alive packets from the first software bridge and, in response to a failure to detect the keep-alive packets from the first software bridge, the second software bridge initiates bridging of traffic.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and program products are provided for failback to a primary communications adapter. Embodiments of the present invention include receiving, in a driver for a primary communications adapter and a backup communications adapter, a link up event for the primary communications adapter; inferring that the primary communications adapter is capable of receiving packets; setting the backup communications adapter to idle; and activating the primary communications adapter. In typical embodiments, the primary communications adapter includes a plurality of linked communications adapters comprising an EtherChannel pseudo-adapter.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method, an apparatus, and a computer-usable program product for identifying a link status for a virtual adapter in a logical partition framework are provided. A partition management firmware receives a signal identifying a communication disruption in a link associated with the virtual adapter within the logical partition framework. The partition management firmware identifies which links associated with the virtual adapter are affected by the communication disruption. Responsive to identifying that only a physical link associated with the virtual adapter is disrupted, the partition management firmware categorizes the link status for the virtual adapter as partial link-down. Responsive to identifying that both the physical link and a virtual link associated with the virtual adapter are disrupted, the partition management firmware categorizes the link status for the virtual adapter as link-down.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and program products are provided for failback to a primary communications adapter. Embodiments of the present invention include receiving, in a driver for a primary communications adapter and a backup communications adapter, a link up event for the primary communications adapter; determining that the primary communications adapter is capable of receiving packets; setting the backup communications adapter to idle; and activating the primary communications adapter. In typical embodiments, the primary communications adapter includes a plurality of linked communications adapters comprising an EtherChannel pseudo-adapter.

Abstract: A system, apparatus and method of aggregating TCP-offloaded adapters are provided. When data is being transacted between a local host and a remote host, associated with the data are usually a local port and a remote port through which the data transaction is to occur. If any one or both hosts have a plurality of TCP-offloaded adapters, the adapters may be aggregated by assigning a common IP address to the adapters. Then an adapter is selected through which the data transaction will occur based on the local port and the remote port. Specifically, the port numbers of the two TCP ports are added together and modded (i.e., the sum-undergoes a modulo operation) by the number of adapters in the aggregation. The result of the modulo operation determines which TCP-offloaded adapter is used to handle the data transaction.